I don’t love reading books set in high school and this story was at times a reminder of why I feel that way but it also surprised me because as juvenile as the problems felt, there was something very earnest behind this story that won be back by the end.

I love Nala’s relationship with her family. I love how hard she rides for them. I love the acknowledgement of how loving the community needs to start with those closest to us. Imani may have been the one doing all the activism but it falls short to some degree to spending time with her family and that’s a reminder I need sometimes.